Local Auto Dealership Donates Bus to Senior Care Center

BRUNSWICK, Georgia: July 15, 2009 – The management of I-95 Toyota & Scion of Brunswick has donated the business’ former “Markdown Monster” bus to the Southeast Georgia Health System Senior Care Center. Travis C. Ostrom, president and CEO of I-95 Toyota and Scion, presented the keys to Health System President & CEO Gary R. Colberg, FACHE, during an official ceremony on Wednesday, July 15.

According to Ostrom, the donation is a win/win situation for both the Senior Care Center and his business. “We were only using the bus four or five times a year. The rest of the time it stayed parked. As a result of sitting unused most of the year, it cost more to maintain,” Ostrom says. “After Gary asked me to consider donating the bus to the Health System I thought it was an excellent idea. And as long as we give notice when we have a need for it, the Health System will allow us to continue to use the bus a few times each year. The rest of the time, it will be put to excellent use by the Senior Care Center. I am really excited about the prospect of the residents being able to get out in the community and really enjoy themselves and get more out of life.”

Colberg says he and the rest of the Health System team greatly appreciate the donation. “I-95 Toyota has been a great community partner in promoting health care in the community for a long time, including Travis’ participation in last year’s fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association,” Colberg says. “This is just another example of how he and his business team are concerned about the well-being and quality of life of the residents of Southeast Georgia.”

The bus, which formerly sported prominent images of the dealership’s green “Markdown Monster” mascot, has been repainted to reflect the Health System’s brand and will be used to take residents of the Senior Care Center to various outings such as group trips to St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, the mall and other shopping venues, as well as other area landmarks.

“We want the Senior Care Center to be as homelike as possible for our residents,” says Eric Catlin, the Health System’s administrative resident who was in charge of the transfer process and redesign of the vehicle. “We feel having the bus will be great for taking residents on group outings so they can feel more connected to the community.”
Pictured following the ceremony from left are: Catlin, Ostrom, Colberg, TKO the Markdown Monster, Michael D. Scherneck, Health System executive vice president & CFO, and Tom Cronemeyer, BSN, MBA, administrator, Senior Care Center.